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Ossian Verdejo
Ossian Vides y Vinos
Spain - Castilla y Leon

A barrel fermented, old vines Verdejo made in a style different from what we typically see in this white varietal. It has a remarkable complexity, resulting in the smoothness and depth of a high-end white. Very suitable for cellaring.

Golden yellow color with greenish reflections. Complex, toasty aromas of nuts & dried fruit. Large, creamy, spicy, balanced and voluminous.

Specifications
Wine Type
White
Varietal(s)
100% Verdejo
Agricultural Practices
Organic
Certifications
Agricultura Ecologica de Castilla y Leon
Vinification
Manual harvest is followed by rigorous selection. Full clusters are softly pressed; only the first run only is used. Fermentation with indigenous yeast. After fermentation the wine is aged on the lees in French oak barrels (20% new, 40% one-year-old and 40% two-year-old) for 9 months with batonnage, then aged 12 months in bottle.
Pairings

Rice with fish, cooked seafood, grilled seafood, baked white fish.

Reviews and News

2020 Ossian Verdejo - 94 PTS - WA

2020 Ossian Verdejo - 94 PTS - WA

wa93"The eponymous 2020 Ossian was produced with Verdejo grapes from old, organically farmed vines around the village of Nieva (Segovia), a zone where phylloxera didn't reach. They consider 2020 their finest vintage to date, with a big change from 2018 and when they have achieved a much better understanding of their vineyards. It has notes of pit fruit and sweet spices, with good weight on the palate, moderate alcohol (13.5%) and ripeness and good freshness and balance. It's serious and with potential to develop in bottle. 80,000 bottles produced. - Luis GUTIERREZ"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (January 31st 2023), 94 pts

2019 Ossian Verdejo - 94 PTS - TP

2019 Ossian Verdejo - 94 PTS - TP

tasting panel logo"Fruit from 100-year-old vines spent nine months on the lees to create a creamy, nutty profile. Flavors and aromas of pear and peach sharpen their tune with jicama and a salty mineral thread. Bright and well seasoned with basil and tarragon."

- The Tasting Panel (May/June 2022), 94 pts

2018 Ossian Verdejo - 94 PTS - VINOUS

2018 Ossian Verdejo - 94 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"Pale yellow-gold. Fresh peach, orange pith, pear and a suggestion of fennel on the powerfully scented nose, along with a hint of jasmine. Juicy and energetic in the mouth, offering vibrant Meyer lemon, pear nectar and honeysuckle flavors that are accented by a dusty mineral nuance. Silky and sharply focused on the finish, which shows strong, nervy lift, firm mineral cut and impressive persistence. - Josh Raynolds"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (February 2021), 94 pts

2018 Ossian Verdejo - 93 PTS - WE

2018 Ossian Verdejo - 93 PTS - WE

wine enthusiast 93 pts"In this wine, yeasty, leesy aromas of white stone fruits and apple come with a minerally note and the backing of fine oak. A full-bodied palate with grip and heft is balanced by natural acidity. Salty apple and nectarine flavors are out front on this barrel-fermented Verdejo from 150-year-old vines. Drink through 2023. - MICHAEL SCHACHNER"

- Wine Enthusiast (September 2021), 93 pts

2018 Ossian Verdejo - 93 PTS - WA

2018 Ossian Verdejo - 93 PTS - WA

wa93"The 2018 Ossian was produced with Verdejo grapes from old, organically farmed vines in Nieva (Segovia). The grapes were cooled down to five degrees Celsius and then pressed and the must put in 228- and 600-liter oak barrels and larger foudres to ferment with indigenous yeasts. It matured with the lees that were regularly stirred for nine months. Despite the cooler vintage, this is fully ripe at 14.5% alcohol, and the more oxidative vinification and aging coupled with bâtonnage makes the wine quite open and expressive but might compromise its aging potential. This has very good freshness and acidity, and the oak feels very integrated. It's much livelier than past vintages. 50,000 bottles. - Luis Gutiérrez"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #255, June 2021), 93 pts

2018 Ossian Verdejo - 93 PTS - TP

2018 Ossian Verdejo - 93 PTS - TP

tasting panel logo"Creamy notes of caramel-covered Bartlett pear and crisp acidity bring this white to life. White flower petals echo on the rich mouthfeel as acidity keeps the palate clean and fresh."

- The Tasting Panel (July/August 2021), 93 pts

2018 Ossian Verdejo - 93 PTS - JS

2018 Ossian Verdejo - 93 PTS - JS

james suckling hq logo plain"A fruity and lively white with sliced lemon, mango and some papaya. Medium body and lovely density and freshness. Flavorful finish. Lovely, creamy texture. Always excellent. Drink or hold."

- James Suckling (October 2020), 93 pts

2015 Ossian Verdejo - 91 PTS - WS

2015 Ossian Verdejo - 91 PTS - WS

wine spectator 91 pts"Rich and polished, this white offers pear, baked apple, tarragon and toasted vanilla flavors that show depth and harmony. Fresh acidity and a touch of tannins give this structure. Sophisticated, in the international style. Drink now. 2,916 cases made. –Thomas Matthews"
- Wine Spectator (August 31st 2018), 91 pts

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2014 Ossian Verdejo - 92 PTS - VINOUS

2014 Ossian Verdejo - 92 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"Vivid yellow. Highly perfumed pear nectar, orange zest and jasmine scents are enlivened by a chalky mineral accent. Vibrant, sharply focused citrus and orchard fruit flavors show impressive heft and breadth, and an undertone of candied ginger gains volume with air. Concentrated but also graceful; the very persistent, penetrating finish delivers firm mineral cut and a jolt of dusty minerality. - Josh Raynolds"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (May 2017), 92 pts

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2013 Ossian Verdejo - 92 + PTS - WA

2013 Ossian Verdejo - 92 + PTS - WA

wa92"The 2013 Ossian is pure Verdejo from old vines in the village of Nieva in Segovia, within the appellation of Rueda, but sold without the appellation -- as the wine was initially rejected because 'it lacked Rueda typicity.' Lacking Rueda typicity might now be considered a good thing by many, as the quality of a majority of wines from the popular appellation is appalling. It has a creamy nose with a mixture of freshly cut grass and orange peel, quite Verdejo, feeling fresh and young. The palate is very balanced and fresh with good acidity, almost citric, pure and delineated with nicely-integrated oak that is a lot less noticeable than in their earlier vintages. It has very good tension. This wine is a triumph over the vintage conditions. "
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #221, October 2015), 92+ pts

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2012 Ossian Verdejo Rueda - 91 PTS - WA

2012 Ossian Verdejo Rueda - 91 PTS - WA

wa91"The 2012 Ossian has an explosive and balsamic nose of camphor, dried herbs and a touch of diesel intermixed with yellow fruit and spicy and smoky undertones from the wood. The palate is medium-bodied, with pungent flavors and plenty of influence from the oak aging. Drink now-2017. - Luis Gutierrez"
- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (Issue #214, August 2014), 91 pts

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2011 Ossian Verdejo - 92 PTS - IWC

2011 Ossian Verdejo - 92 PTS - IWC

tanzer iwc 92 pts"Light gold. A pungent, expansive bouquet evokes poached pear, beeswax, anise and white flowers, with a hint of toastiness in the background. Weighty and broad in the mouth, offering densely packed orchard and citrus fruit flavors underpinned by chalky minerality. Shows a suave blend of power and finesse, finishing with solid grip and excellent mineral-driven persistence."
- Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (September/October 2014), 92 pts

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Producer Information: Ossian Vides y Vinos

The Ossian project was founded on exceptional vineyards: 9 hectares of venerable vineyards between 100 and 200 years old. This is pre-phylloxera Verdejo that escaped the plague because of its ...
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